SDC is the union that negotiates strategically and effectively to protect and guarantee the professional status of stage directors and choreographers while promoting the understanding of and respect for these complex professions.
When you become an SDC Member, you are welcomed into a national community of professional directors and choreographers. Led by an Executive Board comprised of Members representing all regions of the country, SDC unites, empowers, and protects Members throughout the United States. SDC recognizes that its Members are artists and strives to communicate the uniqueness and importance of the work stage directors and choreographers do. The Union has seasoned and strategic committees negotiating agreements that cover Members wherever they’re employed. SDC negotiates not only for proper compensation but for safe and adequate work rules as well. SDC continues to find ways in which to expand jurisdiction and better protect the rights of the Membership. SDC offers programming that fosters community and dialogue, and continues to forge partnerships with industry associates and organizations to promote positive interactions with multi-employer bargaining units such as LORT.
2012 Annual Membership Meeting in New York City
There are two levels of SDC Membership: Full Membership and Associate Membership. Full Members enjoy all the protections of contract filing wherever they are directing or choreographing, may participate in the negotiation of collectively bargained agreements, can qualify for health and pension coverage, engage in the national conversation about the crafts of directing and choreography through SDC Journal, stay up-to-date on Union business through the SDC monthly E-News, and receive national discounts and offers on goods and services. Associate Members benefit from their association with SDC as a declaration of their professional standing within the theatrical community. While Associate Members may not elect to file SDC contracts when working as directors or choreographers, Associates may contact the SDC Contract Affairs staff with any employment questions they have. Associate Members also receive most of the non-contract-related benefits that Full Members enjoy.